Be a Summer Musician with KAI!
The KAI Summer Musical Pit Orchestra
For 12 years, the Kaneland Arts Initiative has produced a summer musical and with it KAI has provided a professional quality pit orchestra which has enhanced the live musical experience for both the company and audiences alike. Hand-selected by orchestra leader, Maria Dripps-Paulson, the pit practices twice a week in the evenings from approximately the end of May through the show, which runs for two weekends in July, this year July 12 - 14 and 19 - 21. Rehearsals and performances take place at the Kaneland High School (47W326 Keslinger Road, Maple Park, IL 60151).
To be clear, the musicians who play in the KAI pit orchestra are some of the most excellent musicians in the area and are playing challenging, professional music. We rent the materials from professional rental houses, therefore, the musicians are playing much of the same music that is played on Broadway. It is a challenging summer of music in a fun environment. Many of our players return from their colleges and professional lives to join us annually.
Musicians can range from middle school through adult. This is not a paid position, but students who need service/volunteer hours, receive up to 40 hours if they attend all of the rehearsals and performances. Students who are interested should complete the form below. In addition, we also request a brief recommendation from their private lesson teacher or large ensemble director which can be sent to Maria at kai@kaneland.org. Adults should also fill out the form and be sure to include any current music endeavours that they are involved in with the director or section leader’s contact information. There are no formal auditions for these positions. In the past 12 years, Maria has been able to assess instrumentalists’ abilities through honest conversations with references.
Please direct any questions to Maria via text, a phone call, or email. Mobile phone: 630-341-9007 | Email: kai@kaneland.org
instruments needed for the addams family (quantities determined by Maria). If the instrument is crossed off, then the position has been filled:
Keyboards (2 different parts)
Reed 1 (Piccolo, Flute, Clarinet, Alto Sax) - this can be played by multiple players, especially if you only play one of these instruments
Reed 2 (Flute, Clarinet, Tenor Sax, Soprano Sax, Bass Clarinet) - this can be played by multiple players, especially if you only play one of these instruments
Trumpet (Trumpet, Flugelhorn)
Trombone (Trombone, Bass Trombone)
Violins
Cellos
Bass (Acoustic, Electric) - 1 player
Guitar (Solid Body Electric, Banjo, Ukulele, Nylon Acoustic, Arch Top, Semi Hollow Body) - 1 player
Drums/Percussion (2 players - one on set and one on everything else)